3/9/01
Sport and Recreation Minister Alan Carpenter today announced that Mr Steven Lawrence would be the new director of the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS).
Mr Lawrence will replace the inaugural WAIS Director, Wally Foreman, who resigned last month after 17 years in the position.
Mr Carpenter said Mr Lawrence (40), who was originally employed by WAIS as a part-time exercise physiologist in 1984 and who subsequently became WAIS's first Sport Science manager, was an ideal appointment to the position.
"Steve has had a 16-year association with WAIS and he has been at the cutting-edge of the national elite program throughout that time," the Minister said.
"He survived the rigorous selection process undertaken by the WAIS board and I fully endorse the board's decision.
"WAIS is one of the best institutes in the world, so it is not surprising that the appointment has come from within."
WAIS chairman Neil McKerracher said there were 19 applicants for the position, including four from overseas.
Mr McKerracher said Lawrence's appointment would ensure that the knowledge and culture developed at WAIS would be retained.
"Just as importantly, Steve's personal knowledge and his energy will help to further advance WAIS's programs," he said.
Mr McKerracher said candidates from overseas and interstate had been interviewed for the position.
"This was a totally open process and not an automatic appointment," he said.
"The nature of the process should give Steve full confidence to confront the challenges ahead."
Mr McKerracher said it was important to recognise the contribution made to WAIS by the outgoing director, Wally Foreman.
"His passion and devoted commitment to WAIS will ensure that the Institute will always have a solid foundation on which to base itself," he said.
Mr Lawrence said he was very honoured to have been offered the position.
"WAIS has helped to take WA and Australian sport to a new level and I look forward to the challenge of ensuring that talented Western Australians have the resources to maximise their potential," he said.
"Wally Foreman and the board have ensured that we have excellent staff, facilities, and support groups and I am looking forward to enhancing WA's competitive edge.
"With the maturation of other institutes in Australia and increased funding to elite sport in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, we will be aiming to accurately direct our resources at key areas to ensure that our athletes remain competitive."
Mr Lawrence was appointed WAIS's first full-time Sport Scientist and Sport Science Co-ordinator in January 1985. He had previously worked part-time for WAIS from its inception in June 1984.
He was appointed as WAIS's Sport Science Manager in 1992, a position he has held since that time.
He has been the exercise physiologist to the Australian men's and women's hockey teams since 1987. In this capacity he has worked closely with Olympic coaches Ric Charlesworth, Brian Glencross, Frank Murray, Richard Aggiss and Terry Walsh. He was also the physiologist to the Australian swimming team in the late 1980s.
Mr Lawrence has been a key player in developing the sport science network among the Australian institutes and was primarily responsible for the design of WAIS's science and strength and conditioning laboratories at its base at Challenge Stadium.
Contacts:
Owen Cole 9213 6806
Neil McKerracher 9220 0505
Steve Lawrence 9387 8166
